By Pervez Saleem/Anmol Irfan:

You must never look for a reason to help those who yearn for support. Extending a helping hand not only vanishes tears off their face, but also acts as a cure for oneself.

Self-satisfaction makes life worth living. We live in a world that encompasses a major share of the poor and downtrodden. Each person may have a different need in his/her life. While some yearn for success, some don’t have the most basic amenities such as a shelter or enough food to eat. But that’s not all, some people may be in need of mere affection, those who are longing to see smiles. We are lucky to be living a comfortable life. How good it will be if we try to bring smiles to those sad faces? Generosity is an easily doable exercise. We all must remember one thing that helping others is a blessing in disguise. Because when we help others to grow, we grow in the process too. It adds value and meaning to our lives.
———————————————————————————–
Meet Dr. Saleema Rehman, An Afghan Refugee Doctor Helping Pakistan’s Poor

A tale of courage.

28 year old Dr. Saleema Rehman has beaten all odds to become the first female Turkmen doctor in Pakistan. The young Afghan refugee has seen a lifetime of barriers and 3 decades of constant struggle to finally achieve her goal.

In her desire to help women who need it the most, she works long extended shifts, often up to 40 hours at a time. She specializes in gynecology and cares for around 40 women in each ward in Rawalpindi’s Holy Family Hospital. Many of the patients that she helps belong to poverty-ridden areas.

She sees it as her destiny to help poverty-ridden women who can’t get help anywhere else.

Her life story

At the age of 13, Saleema fled Afghanistan with her father who did everything possible to get her educated. By morning he would sell bananas and at night he designed carpets. Not only this, but he helped open local schools and also advocated for girl’s education.

Saleema’s father says that she applied consecutively for three years to jump-start her medical career. Eventually, she was offered a highly prized scholarship and now her career is flourishing at the hospital.

Dr. Saleema Rehman is a role model for countless women who find themselves having to break glass ceiling after glass ceiling. Her dedication to her work is outstanding. She also requests Pakistani authorities to let her train and practice so she can keep helping women in dire need of medical attention